OA235: Corporations Are People, My Friend... Criminal People

<p>Today's Rapid Response episode takes a look at three breaking stories related to the White House:  (1) the recent ruling requiring Stormy Daniels to pay Trump's attorneys' fees; (2) the sentencing of Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen; and (3) most importantly, the plea deal signed by American Media, Inc. -- parent company to the <em>National Enquirer</em> -- to cooperate with the Special Counsel's Office.</p> <p>We begin by revisiting the question of whether, in fact, <a href="https://openargs.com/oa154-stormy-daniels-is-a-legal-genius/"> Stormy Daniels is still a legal genius</a>.  (Hint:  she is.)  But what does it mean that a court just ordered her to pay Trump nearly $300,000 -- and why could it have been much, much worse?  Listen and find out.</p> <p>After that, we check out Trump's ex-"fixer" and the former Taxi King of New York, Michael Cohen, who was <a href= "https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/michael-cohen-sentenced-3-years-prison"> just sentenced to three years in prison</a>.</p> <p>Then it's time for a fascinating look into a non-prosecution agreement reached between the Special Counsel's Office and American Media, Inc. that tell us an <em>awful</em> lot about where Yodel Mountain is headed.</p> <p>Finally, we end with an all new Thomas Takes The Bar Exam #105 on modifications to a contract.  As always, if you'd like to play along with us, just retweet our episode on Twitter or share it on Facebook along with your guess and the #TTTBE hashtag.  We'll release the answer on next Tuesday's episode along with our favorite entry!</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Appearances</span></p> <p>None!  If you'd like to have either of us as a guest on your show, drop us an email at <a href= "mailto:openarguments@gmail.com">openarguments@gmail.com</a>.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline">Show Notes & Links</span></p> <ol> <li>Here's the <a href= "http://openargs.com/wp-content/uploads/Stormy-merits-ruling-defamation.pdf">merits ruling defamation</a> we referenced during the show; y